Comments on: Midge Madness or the Tiny Terror

By: Anthony Naples

Anthony Naples — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:19:24 +0000

Vince,
Thanks for the comments. As far as the questions, I used C&C All Purpose Dual Duty Plus. According to the label it is 37% Cotton and 63% Polyester. I didn’t pick that thread out for any reason except that it was the color that I was looking for. If it works better than some others it is just a happy accident on my part. I don’t know how long I’m twisting the thread, but I am twisting it pretty tight. If I let up on the tension it furls on itself instantly. One thing that helps me is that I use a “push-button” hackle pliers to hold the thread instead of just my hands and I use a rotary vise. Both of these things help to keep the thread tight and under control better.
Thanks again and good luck!

By: Vince Villavicencio

Vince Villavicencio — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:38:15 +0000

Great Post! I really like the way the segmentation comes out on Al’s Rat and the Yong Special.
I have a question about getting that segmentation. I’ve used the Summer Brown Coats & Clark sewing thread for my Yong Specials, but I definitely do not get the same look that you showed. My Yong Specials come out a lot more fuzzy and thicker.
Which type of Coats & Clark sewing thread are you using (i.e. Dual Duty XP Fine, Dual Duty XP Heavy, Dual Duty XP General Purpose Dual Duty PLUS, 100% cotton, etc.)?
How tight are you spinning (twisting) the thread (i.e. do you let it spin for 5 seconds, 15 seconds or more)?

Thanks

Vince

By: Anthony Naples

Anthony Naples — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:24:46 +0000

Thanks for the comments Fred! “The Mystery of the Midge” indeed. One day, I catch the fish and I think I have it all figured out, then the next day…nothing on the same patterns.

Sometimes it seems like the fish have their own Blogs and Forums to warn each other – “Don’t eat those red and silver things”.

Good luck this year!

By: Anthony Naples

Anthony Naples — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:21:22 +0000

Thanks, I can’t wait to try them out this year.

By: Fred

Fred — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:58:26 +0000

You are so right on the “Mystery of the Midge” as I refer to it. I live and fish in the Laurel Highlands and find large hatches of midges on practically every stream I fish………As you mentioned the size of the midge on the water is always smaller than the midge on my leader. Keeping records of good midge days vs. bad midge days as far as catching trout is concerned, the bad midge days definitely outweigh the good midge days. Can’t seem to get it right. I think I’m going to approach this year with your top three patterns in mind and tie them in the five sizes you mentioned. We’ll see what happens.
Thanks, great article.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:48:14 +0000

Those are some great, fishy looking flies.

By: Anthony Naples

Anthony Naples — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:13:32 +0000

Looking forward to seeing some from you – I always like to see those armies of flies that you produce. As far as getting out – not looking good anytime soon. I’m about 2.5 hrs from decent winter fishing and more like 3 hrs from my favorite (Spring creek). And there’s those pesky mountain ridges in between – not high by any standard, but high enough produce bad winter driving conditions.

Plus there’s all the snow already on the ground. Oh well, plenty of time to read, think and tie.

By: winonaflyfactory

winonaflyfactory — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:33:39 +0000

Excellent Post! I love the sketch of the midge and the pattern information is very cool. Thanks for posting these, you may see something similar coming from my vise soon!

Here’s hoping you get a chance to fish those flies sooner than later!